His Cavalry Lady. Joanna Maitland

may be that he has some Russian, too. So no one—’ he looked sternly round at the assembled officers ‘—no one is to take any chances in his company. Do not assume he will not understand what you are saying. I trust I make myself clear?’

      ‘Sir!’ the officers said, in chorus.

      ‘Good. Alexandrov, you seemed to be particularly friendly with the Duke.’

      ‘Sir, it…it was simply that he was kind to me when I was ill on board ship.’

      ‘That may well be true, but—’ He stopped in mid-sentence, frowning. ‘I think I need a private word with you, Alexandrov,’ he said, beckoning her into an empty side-room. The other members of the Emperor’s suite were left to continue gossiping and joking together.

      ‘It would be particularly useful, Alexei Ivanovich, if you were to become friendly with the Duke of Calder. We believe he is not quite what he seems. Why, for example, is a duke, no less, acting as liaison officer? There must be many officers of the British army who speak French well enough for the task. It is beneath him. So, why does he do it?’

      ‘You suspect he is a spy?’ Alex breathed wonderingly. He had been so kind to her. She had accepted it, had even begun to return his warmth. Was it all just playacting, a means of gaining her trust? But why? She was the most junior member of the Emperor’s entourage. She knew nothing. Nothing at all.

      ‘It is possible. The English have stood alone against Bonaparte for many years, trusting no one. We may be allies now, but there have been moments…’

      Alex caught her breath. Was Zass about to criticise the Tsar? Surely not?

      Zass laughed harshly. ‘I am sure the allies did only what was necessary for the sake of their countries. As did our beloved Tsar. But from England’s point of view, it would not have seemed so. For them, all the allies were fickle, and unpredictable. The English have never trusted Russia. Which may go some way to explaining your Duke’s presence here.’

      ‘My Duke?’ Alex exclaimed. ‘I have only just met the man.’

      ‘He is yours, Alexandrov. His Majesty gives him to you. To find out everything you can about him. For your country. Is that understood?’

      ‘Perfectly, sir.’

      ‘Excellent.’ He made to leave, but turned suddenly. ‘The Duke does not know about your background, does he? I mean your command of English?’

      ‘No, sir. I have been taking pains to look particularly stupid and uncomprehending every time English is spoken.’

      ‘Good. Make sure it stays that way. I will expect your report, on a daily basis. Everything, you understand, no matter how trivial.’

      ‘Of course, sir.’

      Satisfied, Zass left the room without another word.

      Alex allowed her shoulders to relax. She let out the breath she had been holding. Zass made her nervous. His Majesty had promised that the secret of her real identity would be shared only with Court Minister Volkonsky. And yet, Zass was very close to the Emperor. He might even know—

      No! There was absolutely no point in speculating. She had to behave as if she were indeed Alexei Ivanovich Alexandrov, commissioned officer in the Mariupol Hussars, and temporary aide-de-camp to his Majesty. A temporary ADC whose task was to spy on the Duke of Calder, and to discover as much as possible about the intentions of the British Government.

      It was such a messy business. Her instincts had been telling her to trust the man, to offer him true friendship. But that was impossible now. The coldness of duty was fixing itself around her heart, freezing the warmth that had begun to settle there. Duty! Only duty! Emotion was for females!

      So the Duke of Calder lowered himself to become a spy. Possibly. It sat uncomfortably with his exalted station. Spying was a very dirty business.

      That last thought made her laugh aloud. If spying was a dirty business, Alex herself was now immersed in it. Up to her neck.

      ‘His Grace the Duke of Calder, sir.’ The waiter bowed low and then withdrew, his eyes goggling.

      Zass stepped forward and bowed. ‘Your Grace,’ he said smoothly, in French, ‘we had not expected the pleasure of your company again this evening.’

      Dominic smiled at the aide-de-camp and looked slowly round the room, marking each man. About half Zass’s officers were present, but there was no sign of young Alexandrov. A pity. He was an entertaining young cub.

      ‘I have come to serve as escort to his Imperial Majesty.’ No response. Dominic tried again. ‘For his Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s banquet. At Carlton House.’ There was something wrong here. Most of the officers were gazing at their boots. And Zass was avoiding Dominic’s eye. ‘Is there some problem I am unaware of, Major?’ Dominic asked coolly.

      Zass licked his lips. ‘Perhaps you were not told, Duke. His Imperial Majesty plans to dine here. With his sister, the Grand Duchess of Oldenburg. I had understood that apologies had already been conveyed to the Prince Regent. The fatigues of the journey, you understand—’

      ‘Of course, sir. You need say nothing more.’ Dominic cursed silently. Fatigues of the journey, indeed! The Emperor’s energy was boundless. He was simply refusing to go. Prinny was already furious that the Emperor had declined the apartments in St James’s Palace. When he discovered that Alexander was refusing one of his sumptuous feasts as well, the Regent would probably sink into another childish sulk.

      ‘Thank you, Duke. I shall ensure that his Majesty is fully informed of what has happened. He will be very grateful to you.’

      Dominic bowed his acknowledgement. But he was not so easily bested. ‘I have to tell you, Major, that no apologies have been conveyed to the Regent. Perhaps one of your officers… er…overlooked his task?’

      Zass was looking thoroughly embarrassed now.

      ‘If the officer in question cares to present his apologies to me, I will convey them to the Regent. Along with those from his Imperial Majesty, naturally.’

      Zass looked to be about to have an apoplexy. At that moment, young Alexandrov appeared, as if from nowhere. His slight form must have been hidden behind one of the bigger men. ‘Duke, it is my fault,’ he said simply, stepping forward to stand alongside Zass. ‘Major Zass tasked me with passing the Emperor’s apologies to you earlier today and I…I am afraid that I forgot. It must have been the seasickness. It… er…it put everything else out of my mind.’

      The lad was not a very convincing liar, but Dominic knew he would have to pretend to believe him. Dominic was sure where the responsibility truly lay. ‘Perhaps, Major Zass, you would like to accompany me to see the Regent, to present the Emperor’s apologies in person?’ The man paled. Good. Dominic did not relish being made a fool of, especially with the connivance of a lad he had gone out of his way to help.

      ‘Captain Alexandrov will go, Duke,’ Zass said quickly, adding cruelly, ‘It was his mistake, after all.’

      Dominic was appalled. That was no way for a senior officer to behave to his subordinates. But he said only, ‘Very well. When you are ready, Alexandrov, my carriage is at the door. We can ride to Carlton House together.’

      Alex clattered down the staircase to the entrance hall, her spurs ringing. She settled her plumed shako on her head as she reached the last step. The Duke was standing by the main door, waiting for her. He was staring out into the street but, even from this angle, he looked magnificent in his full evening dress. Forbidding, too, she had to admit. He must have been very annoyed to discover the Emperor’s change of plans. As, no doubt, the Prince Regent would be also.

      She had yet to have even the briefest glimpse of the Prince Regent, but all of Europe knew his reputation. Meg, Alex’s Scottish nurse, had said he was as handsome as a prince in a fairy tale, but that had been decades ago. He was no longer young, or handsome.

      At that moment, Calder turned and saw